Picture: One way or another, change is coming to vending in UK hospitals…
Following a call by The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges to ban junk food and vending machines from hospitals across the UK , the AVA has called upon on decision makers to recognize that vending can, and should, be part of a healthy balanced lifestyle.
Vending enables 24 hour unattended retailing and as such, allows for the provision of refreshment, both beverages and food, around the clock. This is an essential service for many locations including hospitals, when frequently there is no other form of refreshment available, according to the AVA press release.
The AVA has always advocated consumer choice and education as opposed to regulation, particularly in regard to healthy eating and recognizes that as a trend, health and wellbeing are here to stay. It is also working with the industry to develop an increasing range of options to fulfil this demand.
In fact, vending industry experts gathered recently at AVEX for ‘Being Healthy’, a conference created to explore how changing consumer needs can be met through the selections offered via the vending channel. The event received wide support from across the food industry.
The convenience, simplicity and quality of vending currently available can be adapted to deliver refreshment choices that fully support consumers seeking a healthy lifestyle. The AVA has said it will be delighted to engage with The Royal Academy of Medical Royal Colleges to explore how collaboration, rather than confrontation, could be the catalyst for innovation in hospital vending settings.
